Sometime in the afternoon, with the clouds drifting away to reveal the peaks of the nearby hills, this match came alive. It had Carlton Baugh at the centre of the Indian storm. West Indies were in a precarious state, despite a patient hand from Darren Bravo, and were threatening to end on a sub-150 total. It was then that Baugh seized control.

Baugh is an interesting batsman. Often it appears that his skills don't match his desire. You can sense the ambition he possesses. He had to wait long for the West Indies selectors to get disillusioned with Denesh Ramdin to get his second chance and he has shown that he is hungry to grab the opportunity. "I feel confident at the moment and am looking forward to being in the team for a long time," Baugh said.

His character came to the fore during the ODIs against India, when he batted the team through a couple of tough situations, but it was in fading light on the fifth evening of the second Test that he really starred. His character shone through the bad light. West Indies were in danger of losing the match but Baugh took control with his aggression.

As he did today. He began with a slog-swept six off Harbhajan Singh but it was his battle with Munaf Patel that stood out as the contest of the day, one packed with Baugh's adrenalin, Munaf's desire, and MS Dhoni's intervention. It started right after lunch with a surprise yorker from Munaf. Baugh just about pushed his bat inside the line as the ball rushed past the off stump. A couple of deliveries later, Munaf produced a leg cutter that teased the outside edge. A dismissal looked just around the corner. It was then that Baugh seemed to have decided that offence was the way to go.

"I was just being positive against him. Munaf Patel is a good bowler and he can at times be unplayable," he said later. "But when you are on the go, you have a go at pretty much everybody. I play my game regardless of what has happened before. I don't want to be a negative player and try to push and pull. It has worked for me."

He flashed Ishant Sharma past gully before going for an on-the-up drive off Munaf in the 58th over. The ball flew again to gully and past the left of Virat Kohli. Munaf stared, Dhoni shuffled. Kohli was moved to his left. Next ball Baugh edged another drive, this time to Kohli's right. Munaf wanted more changes. Dhoni moved midwicket to cover and transferred Suresh Raina from cover to a second gully. Munaf hurled another full delivery outside off but Baugh shouldered arms. More stares from Munaf.

Baugh responded by lacing the next delivery - another full one outside off - through extra cover. Munaf wasn't pleased and in fact didn't collect the throw neatly; he just slapped it away. Anger or frustration? Take your pick. Baugh seized the opportunity to take an extra run to complete four runs. Munaf responded with a peach of a legcutter that went past the edge and a screaming bouncer that flew past the chest.

At the end of the over, Dhoni ran after Munaf, who kept walking. Dhoni said something. You wondered what the discussion could have been about. The next Munaf over offered some hints. Baugh drove one hard to covers and expertly cut the next delivery past backward point. Dhoni had had enough. He signalled Munaf to bowl straighter and moved the second gully back to midwicket. The next delivery was in line with the stumps and Baugh stabbed it for a single.

Munaf was taken off the attack and Baugh got to his fifty with a whippy flick through midwicket off Ishant Sharma. The crowd gave him a generous applause and he acknowledged the cheers with a raised bat.

""If a shot is there to be played I go through with it. I am not a person who does not do that. But I don't go hunting for it if it is not there," he said later.

Six overs later, Munaf returned from the other end and produced an uppish drive from Baugh off his second delivery. Kohli dived to his left at covers but couldn't hold on to a tough chance. A couple of overs later, with his partners deserting him, Baugh tried to hit Harbhajan for a boundary but ended up becoming his 400th Test wicket. ""He came to me after the game was called off and asked me to sign the ball with 400 on it," Baugh said.

Until that moment, Baugh had played a rumbustious knock to lift West Indies out of a hole. And had also managed to ruffle Munaf.

Way to go Carlton Baugh !Very well said Dujon about his detractors.,two of whom yu know very well.That knock has now push most of them further back into the woodwork.Of course people like ranpath and riverlime would always come up with silly and ridiculus comments,like how yu don't appeal enough,players producing 1 or 2 good scores etc..and all that rubbish about setting up oneself for a long run in the team.What has Barath done since that century ?Didn't Pollard make 2 big scores against bowling not up to Intl standards in the WC,thus ensuring him a play in the series against Pak.and India?and what were his scores ?What is Baraths' av.since his debut century,and what is Pollards av.against the test playing nations ?Yu don't make broad based statements and then single out one player.Barath and Pollard among others belong to that group moreso than Baugh.Before yu and riverlime retreat to the comforts of the woodwork as far as Ramdin is concerned,remember it is from Baugh-Thomas-Walton.

Vilander
on July 8, 2011, 16:04 GMT

Munaf seems to be back to his mid 85 kmh avg speed again, this is good. so ind now has 3 bowlers who can swing and reverse it both ways at fast medium, not bad for the so called worst bowling lineup in the world imo, and along with Ishant they seem good.

xlcrhs
on July 8, 2011, 14:14 GMT

@shan Non You got it right! When Baugh is aggresive he makes runs. More recently he seemed preoccupied about keeping his place that he started playing tentatively. Let's hope his confidence is back!

CricketChat
on July 8, 2011, 12:22 GMT

Baugh showed what a bit of aggressive intent can do to tame the opposition. Of course, Ind bowling 3 pacers and Harbhajan a tad off color helped his cause a lot as well. If he pushed and prodded about, WI wouldn't have crossed even 160-170. I hope WI stay aggressive for the rest of match which is their only chance of leveling the series anyway.

dummy4fb
on July 8, 2011, 12:12 GMT

All I'm reading about here is an encounter where the edge of the bat was dominated by the ball; and one or two shots from the middle. I think that it was more a matter of bad luck on Munaff's part, rather than some kind of 'good character' from Baugh. In other words, this encounter is a clear manifsetation of the continuous shining of Baugh's lucky stars why he is still in the team.

Alexk400
on July 8, 2011, 10:11 GMT

Main oroblem for west indies is Sammy. He neither bat or bowl. He unbalances the team from word go. West indies really need playing captain. They need 150kmp fast bowlers. can't have sammy and ramphaul at same time.

Kangroos.Proteas.Monkeys.Lions
on July 8, 2011, 10:10 GMT

Bravo, Baugh given a message to english batting that Indian bowling lineup that is just missing ZAAK can be hit. Ishant, though produced wickets in the series but english batting is certainly better than west indies and he will have to prove himself again.

This is the problem with the modern Wi team. Once a player can produce one or two decent scores in a series it immediately "sets" him up for a long run in the team. We have seen in time and time over the last ten or 15 years where a player who is failing repeatedly would come good ( doesn't have to be a ton, a couple 50+ will do ) and his place is assured for the next couple series at least. mark my words this same Baugh will NOT maintain this "brilliant" form for long.

Metman
on July 8, 2011, 16:33 GMT

Way to go Carlton Baugh !Very well said Dujon about his detractors.,two of whom yu know very well.That knock has now push most of them further back into the woodwork.Of course people like ranpath and riverlime would always come up with silly and ridiculus comments,like how yu don't appeal enough,players producing 1 or 2 good scores etc..and all that rubbish about setting up oneself for a long run in the team.What has Barath done since that century ?Didn't Pollard make 2 big scores against bowling not up to Intl standards in the WC,thus ensuring him a play in the series against Pak.and India?and what were his scores ?What is Baraths' av.since his debut century,and what is Pollards av.against the test playing nations ?Yu don't make broad based statements and then single out one player.Barath and Pollard among others belong to that group moreso than Baugh.Before yu and riverlime retreat to the comforts of the woodwork as far as Ramdin is concerned,remember it is from Baugh-Thomas-Walton.

Vilander
on July 8, 2011, 16:04 GMT

Munaf seems to be back to his mid 85 kmh avg speed again, this is good. so ind now has 3 bowlers who can swing and reverse it both ways at fast medium, not bad for the so called worst bowling lineup in the world imo, and along with Ishant they seem good.

xlcrhs
on July 8, 2011, 14:14 GMT

@shan Non You got it right! When Baugh is aggresive he makes runs. More recently he seemed preoccupied about keeping his place that he started playing tentatively. Let's hope his confidence is back!

CricketChat
on July 8, 2011, 12:22 GMT

Baugh showed what a bit of aggressive intent can do to tame the opposition. Of course, Ind bowling 3 pacers and Harbhajan a tad off color helped his cause a lot as well. If he pushed and prodded about, WI wouldn't have crossed even 160-170. I hope WI stay aggressive for the rest of match which is their only chance of leveling the series anyway.

dummy4fb
on July 8, 2011, 12:12 GMT

All I'm reading about here is an encounter where the edge of the bat was dominated by the ball; and one or two shots from the middle. I think that it was more a matter of bad luck on Munaff's part, rather than some kind of 'good character' from Baugh. In other words, this encounter is a clear manifsetation of the continuous shining of Baugh's lucky stars why he is still in the team.

Alexk400
on July 8, 2011, 10:11 GMT

Main oroblem for west indies is Sammy. He neither bat or bowl. He unbalances the team from word go. West indies really need playing captain. They need 150kmp fast bowlers. can't have sammy and ramphaul at same time.

Kangroos.Proteas.Monkeys.Lions
on July 8, 2011, 10:10 GMT

Bravo, Baugh given a message to english batting that Indian bowling lineup that is just missing ZAAK can be hit. Ishant, though produced wickets in the series but english batting is certainly better than west indies and he will have to prove himself again.

This is the problem with the modern Wi team. Once a player can produce one or two decent scores in a series it immediately "sets" him up for a long run in the team. We have seen in time and time over the last ten or 15 years where a player who is failing repeatedly would come good ( doesn't have to be a ton, a couple 50+ will do ) and his place is assured for the next couple series at least. mark my words this same Baugh will NOT maintain this "brilliant" form for long.

Sandman5five
on July 8, 2011, 7:26 GMT

While this IndvsWI series is slowly turning into a damp squib, I think India has still managed to gain quite a lot, especially on the bowling front. It is so good to see Ishant back to his menacing ways, and Praveen has been the discovery of the tour. And now seeing Munaf strut his stuff, always accurate, with so many smart variations up his sleeve, now combined with good pace (mid-eighties is good for me!), is an absolute joy.
With Zaheer, Ishant, Praveen, Munaf and Sreeshanth, our seam bowling stocks look really good.
IndvsEng will be an interesting series, to say the least ;)

VivGilchrist
on July 8, 2011, 6:39 GMT

Good to see Baugh can bat... It is so important for him and the team that he contributes with the bat as if WI ever decide to go in with 5 bowlers it would require Baugh to be good enough to bat at 6. Unfortunately he had hit form at the end of the season and not the start.

Rajeshj
on July 8, 2011, 6:06 GMT

Baugh appears to be a lot better player than what Ramdin was... he has the determination and above all the heart to give everything to WI cricket... I think this alone truly makes him special than Ramdin... I am really impressed with Gibson's management style in the sense that he makes everyone play their role better... Ravi Rampaul was a classic example... he is slowly building a good unit and if he is allowed to run the show for another 2 years, I am sure WI cricket would really start evolving.. Forget about Gayle, a man who talks in the public and his statements clearly show that he is not a great team man... he is quite self centered... WI cricket will be better off without him...

dummy4fb
on July 8, 2011, 5:20 GMT

Irfan Pathan should be included in Indian team. He is a great all - rounder.

royramesh
on July 8, 2011, 5:17 GMT

RE COMMENTS ON WICKETKEEPER BAUGH'S PERFORMANCE: PLS REMEMBER THAT HE IS THE W/KEEPER.IT IS IRRITATING THAT MOST FANS/COMMENTATORS TALK ABOUT HIS BATTING. PLS JUDGE A KEEPER ON HIS KEEPING AS ONE MISS CAN LOSE A MATCH OR SERIES. BAUGH'S KEEPING HAS IMPROVED; RAMDIN'S IS AVERAGE AND ORDINARY. THE YOUNGSTER- DEVON THOMAS KEEPING WAS FLAWLESS, TECHNIQUE WAS ALMOST PERFECT AND PERFORMANCE WAS IMPRESSIVE IN THE WORLD CUP. HE ALSO SHOWED HE IS GUTSY BATSMAN. I WOULD ALWAYS SELECT A TEST KEEPER ON TECHNIQUE ONLY.

yocasi
on July 8, 2011, 5:15 GMT

The pieces will eventually fall into place for Windies. Lil Bravo & Baugh are gaining in confidence, the bowling unit is getting teams out fairly cheaply and although the scores are still too low, one can see some fight in the batting. All of that is being achieved without the megamillionaire superstars.

dummy4fb
on July 8, 2011, 3:55 GMT

I guess these two decent scores from Baugh should quiet down any calls for Ramdin to return to the team. As a trini I should favour Denesh, but seriously, Baugh has kept well and has re-discovered that he is better playing as an aggressive batsman than a defensive one. Ramdin may have to wait and hope CB loses form badly if he is to return one day.

qpzmwoxn
on July 8, 2011, 3:48 GMT

are people starting to see now that baugh is a good player

tvumpire.com
on July 8, 2011, 3:45 GMT

If rain will not play, we will get a result for this test for sure.

Percy_Fender
on July 8, 2011, 3:37 GMT

I am glad someone has asked whether Munaf is on the trail people expected him to be on when he made his debut against England in 2004. I have watched Munaf lose his USP after a great baptism into Test cricket caused I believe because of the pig headedness of some of the people who ran Indian cricket then, and a spate of injuries which sidelined him. He had the attitude of an unpredictable man as one could see in his smiling appearances at times followed by extreme anger at others. It was obvious that he needed to be made much of for him to come good. He switched over to a more Magrath like type of bowling and has been quite good in that avataar. He has it all. Pace,hieght,variations, a good leg-cutter,yorker and slower ball and I do not think anyone needs to say derisively that he is trying to ape a great bowler. He has to be handled with the ego boost he probably expects all the time and of course a bit of humour. I think Eric Simmons has given him all that and I feel Munaf is back.

NRI-
on July 8, 2011, 0:28 GMT

Are there signs of Munaf coming back to his debut best (against England in Mohali) or is this a case of too little, too late? Let's hope for the former.

No featured comments at the moment.

NRI-
on July 8, 2011, 0:28 GMT

Are there signs of Munaf coming back to his debut best (against England in Mohali) or is this a case of too little, too late? Let's hope for the former.

Percy_Fender
on July 8, 2011, 3:37 GMT

I am glad someone has asked whether Munaf is on the trail people expected him to be on when he made his debut against England in 2004. I have watched Munaf lose his USP after a great baptism into Test cricket caused I believe because of the pig headedness of some of the people who ran Indian cricket then, and a spate of injuries which sidelined him. He had the attitude of an unpredictable man as one could see in his smiling appearances at times followed by extreme anger at others. It was obvious that he needed to be made much of for him to come good. He switched over to a more Magrath like type of bowling and has been quite good in that avataar. He has it all. Pace,hieght,variations, a good leg-cutter,yorker and slower ball and I do not think anyone needs to say derisively that he is trying to ape a great bowler. He has to be handled with the ego boost he probably expects all the time and of course a bit of humour. I think Eric Simmons has given him all that and I feel Munaf is back.

tvumpire.com
on July 8, 2011, 3:45 GMT

If rain will not play, we will get a result for this test for sure.

qpzmwoxn
on July 8, 2011, 3:48 GMT

are people starting to see now that baugh is a good player

dummy4fb
on July 8, 2011, 3:55 GMT

I guess these two decent scores from Baugh should quiet down any calls for Ramdin to return to the team. As a trini I should favour Denesh, but seriously, Baugh has kept well and has re-discovered that he is better playing as an aggressive batsman than a defensive one. Ramdin may have to wait and hope CB loses form badly if he is to return one day.

yocasi
on July 8, 2011, 5:15 GMT

The pieces will eventually fall into place for Windies. Lil Bravo & Baugh are gaining in confidence, the bowling unit is getting teams out fairly cheaply and although the scores are still too low, one can see some fight in the batting. All of that is being achieved without the megamillionaire superstars.

royramesh
on July 8, 2011, 5:17 GMT

RE COMMENTS ON WICKETKEEPER BAUGH'S PERFORMANCE: PLS REMEMBER THAT HE IS THE W/KEEPER.IT IS IRRITATING THAT MOST FANS/COMMENTATORS TALK ABOUT HIS BATTING. PLS JUDGE A KEEPER ON HIS KEEPING AS ONE MISS CAN LOSE A MATCH OR SERIES. BAUGH'S KEEPING HAS IMPROVED; RAMDIN'S IS AVERAGE AND ORDINARY. THE YOUNGSTER- DEVON THOMAS KEEPING WAS FLAWLESS, TECHNIQUE WAS ALMOST PERFECT AND PERFORMANCE WAS IMPRESSIVE IN THE WORLD CUP. HE ALSO SHOWED HE IS GUTSY BATSMAN. I WOULD ALWAYS SELECT A TEST KEEPER ON TECHNIQUE ONLY.

dummy4fb
on July 8, 2011, 5:20 GMT

Irfan Pathan should be included in Indian team. He is a great all - rounder.

Rajeshj
on July 8, 2011, 6:06 GMT

Baugh appears to be a lot better player than what Ramdin was... he has the determination and above all the heart to give everything to WI cricket... I think this alone truly makes him special than Ramdin... I am really impressed with Gibson's management style in the sense that he makes everyone play their role better... Ravi Rampaul was a classic example... he is slowly building a good unit and if he is allowed to run the show for another 2 years, I am sure WI cricket would really start evolving.. Forget about Gayle, a man who talks in the public and his statements clearly show that he is not a great team man... he is quite self centered... WI cricket will be better off without him...

VivGilchrist
on July 8, 2011, 6:39 GMT

Good to see Baugh can bat... It is so important for him and the team that he contributes with the bat as if WI ever decide to go in with 5 bowlers it would require Baugh to be good enough to bat at 6. Unfortunately he had hit form at the end of the season and not the start.